June 25: "Mahfood Complains Of Socialist Indoctrination"

1963: The acting minister of trade and industry, Kenneth Jones, announces the appointment of the five persons who will constitute the Jamaica Tourist Board. The minister at the same time announces that a 16-member advisory committee will be set up as well.

1966: A seven-man delegation of squatters from the Foreshore Road Shanty Town takes their protests against quit notices to the prime minister’s office. In a conference with officials of the ministry, the delegation asks for an extension of time to leave the settlement.

1970:Finality is reached on the question of fusion of legal profession in Jamaica, and a bill for the purpose of fusing the two branches of the profession is to be brought to Parliament soon. The minister of legal affairs, Victor Grant, in the House of Representatives announces this during his budget speech.

1975:Winston Mahfood, outgoing president of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association (JMA), expresses concern over what he describes as “the Government’s massive programme of indoctrination of our young people in spreading the socialist dogma”. Mahfood makes his statement at the annual general meeting of the JMA and calls on the Government to recognise the abilities of the private sector.

1981: The Government is looking at all aspects of the sugar industry and very shortly will bring new proposals to the House of Representatives relating to the structure of the industry to put it in a more viable position. Agriculture Minister Percival Broderick states this in the House, as he seeks the House’s approval.

1984:The Duckenfield Sugar Factory in St Thomas, which had been scheduled to cease operation at the end of the 1983/84 crops, is to continue sugar production under a private group known as the Duckenfield Sugar Management Company Limited. Minister of Agriculture Percival Broderick signs an agreement to this effect at the Ministry of Agriculture. The Duckenfield Sugar Company is headed by Mr Richard Jones.

1987: Fire, early in the morning, guts several buildings at the Mustard Seed Community in Mona, leaving damage estimated at $500,000 and throwing some 60 persons out of jobs. The papine police who are investigating have not yet ascertained the cause of the blaze.

1992: After months of rigorous and intensive studies to gain a place in the country’s high schools through the Common Entrance Examination (CEE), 11- and 12-year-olds are being tested again to enter schools. Some secondary high schools are setting tests in English and math for the nation’s brightest children who pass the CEE. Parents say that’s too much, no matter the reasons the schools are advancing.